"Kid"

I saw something the other day,

I’ve never seen before,

Something that was not okay,

While shopping at the store.

A grandma with a little child,

Who harshly spoke to her,

Unruly bad and really wild,

And she could not deter,

His terrible behavior,

As she walked down the aisle,

She needed a favor,

With that awful child.

I knew I shouldn’t do it,

But I looked him in the eye,

She was going through it,

So troubled ‘bout to cry.

And in a very low voice,

I told him just to stop,

And it was gonna be his choice,

With his grandma there to shop.

His eyes grew large and teary,

But he quickly shut his mouth,

Grandma was so weary,

Like a long, exhausting drouth.

But he saw that I meant it,

And though we were not kin,

He couldn’t pitch another fit,

Keep acting like he’d been.

He watched me as I walked away,

I nodded at his smile,

And hoped that starting on this day,

He’d change his fussy style.

The Bible says that foolishness,

Is bound in a kid’s heart,

But it takes more than just a wish,

To make it all depart.

There has to be some discipline,

With love for them to see,

Change their lives so they can win,

And then turn out to be,

People who will show respect,

And learn to do things right,

It’s what God above expects,

To help them walk in light.

Just like God loves all His kids,

And disciplines each one,

To give His pow’r and help get rid,

Of foolish things they’ve done.

“A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness, but physical discipline will drive it far away.” (Proverbs 22:15, NLT)

If we love our children we will give them consistent discipline. Why? Because the scriptures tell us there is a foolishness bound up in their hearts that requires discipline to drive it far away. Loving discipline actually secures children and gives them clear boundaries for living. The scriptures also tell us that God disciplines all those He loves. It is one of the signs that we belong to Him, and though it can be painful, it produces righteous living. In an unruly, undisciplined, anything-goes world, discipline is more important than ever.

Lord, help us lovingly discipline our children, in Jesus’ name.

Art by JaNeil Anderson, janeilanderson.com. Used by permission. Thanks, and God bless your day.